Fact Sheet- Mizoram Assembly Election 2013

Date of Polling :- (Wednesday) 4 .12.2013 & Date of Counting : Sunday 8.12.2013

S.No	Item
1	Number & Types of Assembly Constituencies in the state	General	01
		SC	00
		ST	39
		Total	40
2	Population of the State	1097206 ( as per Census 2011)
3	Total Electors	6,86,305
4	Female/Male Ratio	1038
5	Percentage of EPIC issued	100%
6	Number of Recognized State Parties	3
7	Smallest Assembly constituency (Area wise)	14-Aizawl East-11
8	Smallest Assembly constituency (Electorate wise)	34-Thorang
9	Largest Assembly constituency (area wise)	40-Palak
10	Largest Assembly constituency (Electorate wise)	36-Tichawng
11	Total No. of Polling Stations	1126
12	Number of General, Expenditure , Police & Awareness Observers  deployed	General Observers :31, Police Observers :2 , Expenditure Observers 9,Awareness Observers : 2
13	Poll expenditure limit per candidate (as per M/o Law Notification No. 11019(1)/2011-Leg.II dated 23rd February, 2011	Rs. 8 Lakh

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2008 ELECTIONS IN MIZORAM

( A)  NUMBER OF CONTESTANTS

Total Contestants in Fray	206
Average contestants per constituency	5
Minimum contestants in a constituency	3
Maximum contestants in a constituency	11

( B) ELECTORS

	Male	Female	Total
No. of Electors	302489	309129	611618
No. of Electors Who Voted	238274	251146	489420
Polling Percentage	78.77%	81.24%	80.02%

( C ) PERFORMANCE OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN 2008

Party	Seats					Share in valid votes polled in state		Vote % in seats contested
	Contested		Won		Forfeited Deposit	Votes	%
NATIONAL PARTIES
1. BJP	9	0		9		2222	0.44%	1.87%
2. INC	40	32		0		195614	38.89%	39.97%
3. NCP	6	0		6		538	0.11%	0.69%
Total (a)	55	32		15		198374	39.44%
STATE PARTIES
4. MNF	39	3		1		154132	30.65%	32.32%
5. MPC	16	2		3		52222	10.38%	27.39%
6. ZNP	17	2		3		51403	10.22%	25.11%
Total (b)	72	7		7		257757	51.25%
STATE PARTIES-OTHER STATE
7. JD (U)	2	0		2		196	0.04%	0.87%
Total ( c)	2	0		2		196	0.04%
REGISTERED (UNRECOGNIZED) PARTIES
Total (d)	44	1		43		7945	1.58%
INDEPENDENTS
Total (e)	33	0		26		38684	7.69%	13.68%
GRAND TOTAL(a+b+c+d+e)	206	40		93		502956	100.00

Ex-Mizo Health Minister Acquited in Fund Scam

Aizawl, Oct 10 : Former Mizoram health minister R Tlanghmingthanga has got a clean chit in the Mizoram healthcare fund scam that haunted him and his family during the last five years.

The special court under the Prevention of Corruption Act, though finding the former health minister as misusing his power to have Rs 10 crore of the healthcare fund invested in an insurance company for the benefits of his daughter, held that he did not commit any offence under the PC Act for the government did not lose any money by investing the fund.

"Though he is morally wrong, he did not commit any offence punishable under the PC Act," the verdict of special court judge K L Liana said, adding, "There is not any sufficient ground for proceeding against him under PC Act and he is discharged from the liability of the charge in the spirit of the provisions of section 227 of Cr PC.

It may be recalled that Rs 10 crore allocated for the Mizoram Health Care Scheme, was invested into the Bajaj Allianz insurance company in the names of 17 individuals, 11 of whom were daughters, sons and in-laws of Tlanghmingthanga.

The remaining six persons were government officials and their wives, including former secretary to chief minister' Zoramthanga and health commissioner' J C Ramthanga and the Mizoram Health Care Society chief executive officer' Dr Sangzuala Pachuau.

Tlanghmingthanga daughter Lianthuampuii, aliases Puii and Puii Halliday, an agent (sometimes reported as co-manager), received Rs 1 crore as commission from the investment.

Against the advice of ADB officials and insurance experts, Tlanghmingthanga had strongly recommended that the money be invested in the Bajaj Allianz. This was given a go-ahead by Chief Minister Zoramthanga.

As much as Rs 50 crore was earmarked for the Mizoram Health Care Scheme from the state budget' which would be recovered with loan to be availed from the Asian Development Bank.

IIM Shillong Golf Cup Season 6 Ends On A High Note

The event also hosted the presence of top government officials including A.L. Hek, Minister of IT and Health and Family Welfare, Government of Meghalaya and Ashok Thakur, Secretary of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development.

Shillong, Oct 10 : The flagship event of IIM Shillong - Golf Cup Season 6 ended on a high note on the evening of Sunday, October 6th, 2013. The event was organized by IIM Shillong in association with Meghalaya Tourism. The two day event comprised of the Corporate Golf Tournament and IIM Shillong's Annual Management Fest 'Khlur-Thma' which consisted of inter college competitions in different management domains. The Chief Guest for the award ceremony was Dr Mukul Sangma, Chief Minister, Government of Meghalaya.

The Golf Cup saw participation from more than 100 golf enthusiasts, including more than 40 corporate participants from corporations like DBS Bank, Deutsche Bank, Yen Capitals, and Hindustan UnileverBSE 0.49 % among others.

The event also hosted the presence of top government officials including A.L. Hek, Minister of IT and Health and Family Welfare, Government of Meghalaya and Ashok Thakur, Secretary of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development.

Khlur-thma, the annual management fest of IIM Shillong, commenced on the first day of the IIM Shillong Golf Cup Season 6. This time Khlur-Thma was fortified with a series of events. There were four on-campus events namely, Professional Golf -The India Story, VainQueur, Touchstone, and Vishleshan. In addition to it there were two video conferencing events named, Shrinkhala, De-Crypt and online events DecipHR, Samuchit, Envisage and Adriane's thread respectively each representing different management domains.

A business summit was also organized which comprised of two conclaves: the Finance Conclave and the North East Conclave. The topic for the Finance Conclave was 'Financial Markets: Issues, Developments and Regulatory Aspects' while the topic for the North East Conclave was 'Balanced development of North East: Issues and Reforms'. The panels gave insights into the root of the problems and suggested solutions for the same.

The game of golf was played in the following categories: 0-10 handicap, 11-18 handicap, 19-24 handicap, longest drive, straightest drive, closest to the pin and women's category. Michael Hek won the prize in the 0-10 handicap category. Amit Shukla Baidya bagged the prize in the 11-18 handicap category. The winner for 19-24 handicap category was R. K. Thakur, IG BSF (retired). The women's category award was won by Suzie Syiene.

Winners of the on-campus case study presentations in Khlur-Thma, were also felicitated during the closing ceremony. Vishleshan, the finance case study competition sponsored by NTPCBSE 0.76 %, was won by the team from ISB, Hyderabad followed by team from IIM Shillong. Winners of VainQueur, the consulting case study competition sponsored by ONGC, was won by the team from IIM Shillong and runners up were from MDI Gurgaon. Touchstone, the marketing case study competition sponsored by Shillong Lajong Football Club, was won by the team from IIM Shillong followed by the team from SIBM, Bangalore.

Myanmar Picks First Miss Universe Hopeful In Half Century

Moe Set Wine is Miss Universe Myanmar 2013

With a whiff of controversy and not a bikini in sight, a US-educated business graduate was selected as the first Miss Universe contestant to represent Myanmar in more than 50 years.

Moe Set Wine will take her place on stage at the global beauty pageant in Moscow next month, reflecting dramatic political and social changes in the former junta-ruled nation, which last fielded a Miss Universe contender in 1961.

"I feel like now I am part of the history and I feel like a soldier that is doing something for the country and my people," the 25-year-old said after her selection late on Thursday.

Hemlines are rising in the country formerly known as Burma as it opens up to the world after decades of iron-fisted junta rule ended in 2011.

But still not everyone approves of scanty dress.

When racy shots of one model wearing a two-piece swimsuit appeared online a few years ago, she received abuse and threats.

So the Miss Universe hopefuls were careful not to bare any midriff in the swimsuit section.

"My personal view is that the competition presents a good image of our country, but if you look at what they wear, it is not what a lot of people here like," Deputy Culture Minister Than Swe told AFP.

Myanmar's traditional dress, which is still mandatory in high schools, universities and most state workplaces, is the demure "longyi" -- a sheet of cotton or silk cloth wrapped around the waist and stretching to the feet.

But the younger generation, especially young urban women, are increasingly shunning the national garb and embracing unconventional alternatives as they brush aside concerns about morals and modesty.

"Myanmar people dared not wear clothes like this in the past. Now things are improving, and people dare to wear things, so as a designer I can create what I like. So I'm glad things are changing," said Htay Htay Tin, who designed all the contestants' outfits.

Sunday is for church: Mizoram protests vote count on Dec 8

By Rahul Karmakar

Aizawl, Oct 9 : Mizoram has formally said no to counting of votes on a Sunday. The reason: Sundays in the predominantly Christian state are reserved only for church activities or related functions.

Mizoram is among the five states going to the polls later this year and the Election Commission has fixed December 4 as the date of polling in the tiny northeastern state. Counting of votes in all states – including Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh -- will be held on December 8.

On Monday, the Mizoram Presbyterian Church submitted a memorandum to the state’s chief electoral officer Ashwini Kumar seeking a change in the dates of polling as well as counting. The memorandum was signed by leaders of all political parties and Young Mizo Association, the most influential social NGO in the state.

Leaders of the church, the NGO and the political parties have suggested advancing the date of polling from December 4 to November 26 and the date of counting from December 8 to December 4.

While December 8 is a Sunday, a day “Mizos are sentimental about” and religiously stay away from non-church activities, December 4 marks the start of the Presbyterian Church’s five-day annual Synod conference.

In the 2008 assembly elections, the Election Commission had changed the date of polling for Mizoram from November 30 to December 2. This followed an appeal from the Seventh Day Adventists – a miniscule group – as November 30, being a Saturday, clashed with their Sabbath Day.

“We hope the EC would consider our request for the change of dates. We also expect to meet the Election Commissioner during his visit to Mizoram,” said Reverend Lalramliana Pachuau, moderator of Mizoram Presbyterian Church.

CEO Kumar, however, said the onus of changing dates was on the Election Commission. “We would be forwarding the memorandum to the Commission,” he added.

According to the 2001 census, Christians comprised 86.97% of Mizoram’s population. The Presbyterians form the largest Christian denomination followed by Baptists, Catholics and Salvation Army.

Mizoram became a full-fledged state in 1986 after the signing of the Mizo Accord between the militant Mizo National Front and the central government. Known as Lushai Hills earlier, it was part of Assam before attaining statehood.
- See more at: http://www.hindustantimes.com/specials/coverage/MyIndia-MyVote/Chunk-HT-UI-MyIndiaMyVote-Mizoram/Sunday-is-for-church-Mizoram-protests-vote-count-on-Dec-8/SP-Article10-1132574.aspx#sthash.5AygPiV8.dpuf

Are Naval Ships the New 'Black Site' Prisons?

The CIA no longer has any overseas "black site" prisons where they used to carry out "enhanced" interrogations far away from the soil (and civil rights laws) of U.S. prisons. But if Americans are holding an al-Qaeda leader on a U.S. Navy ship in international waters, what's legally stopping them from performing similar work there?

That's essentially what the American Civil Liberty Union is asking today. We know longtime suspected al-Qaeda leader Abu Anas al-Libi was captured by American commandos over the weekend and is now being interrogated off the Mediterranean coast on board U.S.S. San Antonio, without being read his Miranda Rights or in the presence of a lawyer. He will eventually be tried before a federal court in New York for the 1998 embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, but until then he'll be held under the laws of war. As the Pentagon and legal experts explained over the weekend, that's the same legal justification used to authorize military force against al-Qaeda at the beginning of the war on terror. But until al-Libi makes it to New York, he's free of a lawyer and the protection usually offered by the civilian court system, adrift in the middle of the sea.

"It appears to be an attempt to use assertion of law of war powers to avoid constraint and safeguards in the criminal justice system," Hina Shamsi, the director of the American Civil Liberties Union's national security wing, told the Associated Press. "I am very troubled if this is the pattern that the administration is setting for itself."

Government officials were keeping mum with regards to the interrogation techniques being used on the San Antonio right now. "He is in our custody and he will be treated like anyone else," Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence committee, told CNN Monday morning. He wouldn't say whether "enhanced interrogation techniques" were being used, cryptically saying that "If he does not want to talk, he will go through our system," Ruppersberger said.

The model for al-Libi's detention was written in 2011, when the administration captured Ahmed Abdulkadir Warsame, a Canadian-Somali citizen accused of aiding terrorists, and held him aboard a U.S. warship for about two months before he was delivered to New York to face terrorism charges. He eventually plead guilty and agreed to tell authorities everything he knew.

Some legal experts expect al-Libi's situation to play out in the exact same way. "Don't expect al-Libi to stay in military custody for more than a few weeks," predicted Robert Chesney, co-founder of the blog Lawfare, over the weekend. "This situation will unfold just like the capture of Ahmed Warsame a few years ago, meaning that after a period of no more than, say, 6-8 weeks, al-Libi almost certainly will be flown to the United States to face a criminal trial." But some legal observers think the administration should probably hurry unless they want another human rights headache on their hands. Just Security's Meg Satterthwaite explains:

So long as he is not held outside the regular U.S. legal system, al-Liby is presumably not at risk of refoulement (though a transfer to Guantánamo or Bagram would raise refoulement issues). Al-Liby’s detention on a ship, and his interrogation by the High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group without judicial oversight or legal assistance, will quickly run afoul of human rights law concerning due process, however, and if prolonged and under incommunicado circumstances, could amount to an enforced disappearance.  The United States should transfer al-Liby to the United States and bring him under judicial protection without delay.

The administration, for now, is keeping mum about what's happening aboard that ship. "As a general rule, the government will always seek to elicit all the actionable intelligence and information we can from terrorist suspects taken into our custody," National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden told the AP.
[Inset: Reuters]